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Main Authors: Wang, Wenbin, Jones, Colin N.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.09775
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author Wang, Wenbin
Jones, Colin N.
author_facet Wang, Wenbin
Jones, Colin N.
contents Bayesian optimization (BO) is an efficient framework for optimizing expensive black-box functions. However, it is typically formulated as learning an end-to-end mapping from inputs to scalar objectives, thereby discarding the potentially rich information whenever a structured system output is available. In this work, we study Bayesian optimization over a vector-valued operator with structured measurements, where each measurement observes multidimensional or functional outputs, e.g., trajectories or spatial fields, rather than a single scalar value. The objective is then defined as a linear functional of these measurements. This allows each observation to reveal substantially richer information about the underlying system compared to scalar observations. Assuming the unknown operator lies in a vector-valued reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS), we derive high-probability concentration bounds for the kernel ridge regression (KRR) estimator directly in the measurement space, characterizing uncertainty in a general Hilbert space. Building on these results, we propose an algorithm based on the upper confidence bound (UCB) acquisition function with regret guarantees under mild assumptions, recovering sublinear rates for common kernels. Empirically, we demonstrate that leveraging structured measurements leads to improved sample efficiency by enabling efficient transfer of information across objectives and adaptation to time-varying settings.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_09775
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Bayesian Optimization with Structured Measurements: A Vector-Valued RKHS Framework
Wang, Wenbin
Jones, Colin N.
Machine Learning
Optimization and Control
Bayesian optimization (BO) is an efficient framework for optimizing expensive black-box functions. However, it is typically formulated as learning an end-to-end mapping from inputs to scalar objectives, thereby discarding the potentially rich information whenever a structured system output is available. In this work, we study Bayesian optimization over a vector-valued operator with structured measurements, where each measurement observes multidimensional or functional outputs, e.g., trajectories or spatial fields, rather than a single scalar value. The objective is then defined as a linear functional of these measurements. This allows each observation to reveal substantially richer information about the underlying system compared to scalar observations. Assuming the unknown operator lies in a vector-valued reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS), we derive high-probability concentration bounds for the kernel ridge regression (KRR) estimator directly in the measurement space, characterizing uncertainty in a general Hilbert space. Building on these results, we propose an algorithm based on the upper confidence bound (UCB) acquisition function with regret guarantees under mild assumptions, recovering sublinear rates for common kernels. Empirically, we demonstrate that leveraging structured measurements leads to improved sample efficiency by enabling efficient transfer of information across objectives and adaptation to time-varying settings.
title Bayesian Optimization with Structured Measurements: A Vector-Valued RKHS Framework
topic Machine Learning
Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.09775